Household vacuum cleaner having



Sept- 1949. c. H. SPARKLIN R 23,

HOUSEHOLD VACUUM CLEANER HAVING AUTOMATIC NOZZLE ADJUSTMENT MEANS Original Filed Dec. 21, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 M 527155 k W A G/mrfesfl c7/JQ7%Z Z. m wwwlzg Sept. 27, 1949. c. H. SPARKLIN 23,152

HOUSEHOLD VACUUM CLEANER HAVING AUTOMATIC NOZZLE ADJUSTMENT MEANS Original Filed Dec. 21, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet Z Sept. 27, 1949. c. H. SPARKLIN HOUSEHOLD VACUUM CLEANER HAVING AUTOMATIC NOZZLE ADJUSTMENT MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Dec. 21, 1935 Roan 07":

Sept. 27, 1949. c. H. SPARKLIN Re. 23,152

HOUSEHOLD VACUUM CLEANER HAVING AUTOMATIC NOZZLE ADJUSTMENT MEANS Original Filed Dec. 21, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 neama Sept. 21, 1949 a HOUSEHOLD VACUUM CLEANER HAVING AUTOlgATIC NOZZLE ADJUSTMENT Charles II. Sparklim- Chicago, Ill., asalgnor to Blrtman Electric Company, Chi

poration of Illinois cage. 11]., a cor- Original No. 2,055,734, dated September 29, 1936,-

Serial No, 55,669, December 21. 1935.

cation for reissue February 13, 1948, Serial No.

'16 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in suction cleaners and, more especially, to cleaners of the portable type.

It is well known that suction cleaners of the type here under consideration are most generally used for cleaning rugs, carpets, and the like, al-

though, of course, they are also used for cleaning bare hardwood floors, linoleum, and other surfaces. In connection'with the cleaning of carpets, however, materials of varying thickness and softness are encountered; and, consequently, it has been found advisable to provide the cleaner with a vertically movable nozzle so that when operating on a carpet that is relatively thick and soft where the wheels sink in to a relatively great extent, the nozzle can be vertically adjusted upwardly so that in the cleaning of such carpet, the mouth of the nozzle will not be too close to the fabric or bear too hard thereon. Contrariwise, when operating upon a thin hard carpet or on a bare floor or linoleum, or the like, where the wheels do not sink into any perceptible extent, it has been found advisable to adjust the nozzle vertically downwardly so that it will be in proper position with respect to the surface being cleaned.

Likewise, in operating upon carpets of this thickof the cleaner. To overcome this, I provide, as stated above, additional supporting means or means limiting the downward movement of the nozzle when the cleaner is operating, said means including a member separate from the nozzle and preferably in the form Of one. or more rollers adapted to float or ride substantially on the surface ofthe material being cleaned. The supness, it has been found that vertical adjustment of .the nozzle is necessary or desirable.

In general, it may be stated that I provide a carriage and a nozzle movable up and down with respect to the carriage. I also provide means acting substantially uniformly to substantially balance the forces of gravity acting on the nozzle throughout its range of movement which may be in a variety of forms, including any of those shown, for example, in Wiehle patent, No. 1,995,084, of March 19, 1935. The nozzles shown in that patent are vertically movable or adjustable with respect to the surface being cleaned; but as there shown, the nozzle is adapted to be drawn down against the surface undergoing cleaning under the influence of suction. The principal feature of the present invention is to provide additional supporting means for the nozzle or means limiting the downward movement of the nozzle operative especially when the cleaner is in.

operation. If a nozzle is counterbalanced but free to be drawn down against the surface being cleaned under the full influence of the suction, there may be undesirable friction between the nozzle and the material be g cleaned, especially when operating upon soft ck iluffy carpets. That is, the suction may ca the nozzle to dig into the material to such an extent as to cause objectionable friction or opposition to movement porting wheels for the carriage may be of the ordinary type or they may preferably be somewhat narrowerthan customary so that they will sink into the material being cleaned to a considerable extent below its surface, depending upon the nature of the material itself. With this construction, the nozzle will automatically be adjusted to the correct height, depending upon the kind, nature, softness and thickness of the material being cleaned and yet will not be drawn down against or into the material by the suction to an objectionable extent.

In describing the invention, I may use the word carpet to indicate any surface being cleaned. The invention is particularly valuable when a cleaner is used on car-pets of varying degrees of riage. That is, the nozzle and the motor casing' with the motor inside are formed as a unit as is customary in connection with portable suction cleaners and the entire unit is carried by the carriage. The mounting on the carriage, however, is such that the nozzleitself is vertically adjustable with respect to the carriage and, consequently, with respect to the surface bein cleaned. The nozzle-supporting means, there.- fore, in the form of the roller described above acts to limit downward movement of the nozzle, particularly under suction. This support for'the nozzle is obtained by the roller floating or rolling substantially on the surface of the carpet. That is, it will sink into the carpet only to a very small extent, if at all; and not 'nearly as much into soft carpet as the wheels that support the carriage. Being in the form of a roller, it will slide easily over the surface of the carpet and thus lessen the friction. The roller preferably has considerable width, thus giving at least a line contact of considerable length and in all probability a surface contact of considerable area, thus preventing the roller from sinking into the surcan:

the nozzle whereby the movement of the latter is amplified with respect to that ofthe former. That is, even if the roller sinks into a thick carpet to some extent, the nozzle will be held a little bit higher than the roller so that it will always have the proper adjustment.

It has been found that when'a nozzle is balanced, as described above, forward or backward acceleration of the cleaner negative or positive may cause some undesirable rocking of the nozzle. To prevent this I have, in one form of the invention, shown the nozzle as counterbalanced by pivoting the entire nozzle motor unit on the carriage-and have placed this pivot at the center of inertia in a vertical plane.

I have also preferred to counterbalance the nozzle so that it will normally rock forwardly to a slight extent. This will insure propercleaning action at all times. 1

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a separate support for the bag with a flexible connection between the bag and the nozzle so that the varying weight of the bag as it is filled with dirt will not unduly affect the nozzle-adjusting means.

Another feature of the invention is-the provision of compensated springs so that their counterbalancing or counteracting effect on the nozzle will be substantially uniform for all positions of the nozzle.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In those forms of device embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section; Fig. 2 is a similar view'showing the nozzle in a different position: Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the same; Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of one of the rollers used for supporting the nozzle; Fig. 5

is a view in side elevation of a modified form;

Fig. 6 is a view taken as indicated by the line 6-6 of Fig. 8; Fig. 7 is a view taken as indiplan view of the cleaner of Fig. 5; and Fig. 9 is a view taken as indicated by the line 6-9 of Fig. 8.

The device of Figs. 1, Z, 3 and 4 In this device, ll indicates a horizontal motor casing, II the usual fan casing, I! the nozzle,

and II a motor driven brush in the nozzle. The motor casing, fan casing and nomle are made 'inaunit.

cated by the line'I-l of Fig. 8; Fig. 8 is a bottom upper ends of which are pivotally attached the lower ends of the bail carrying the handle 5|.

The nozzle I2 is vertically adjustable with respect to the surface being cleaned. In the device of Figs. 1 to 4, this is accomplished by pivotally supporting the unit including the motor casing. fan casing and nozzle atthe rear end of the carriage. This pivotal connection permits the nozzle at the forward end of the cleaner to be moved upwardly or downwardly. As here shown, the support is accomplished by attaching the arms [1, i! to the rear end of the motor casing Ill and pivoting their lower ends of the carriage II on the pivots to the rear end l8.

In order to substantially balance or counterbalance the forces of gravity acting on the nozzle throughout its range of movement, I provide the springs 20, 26, having their rear ends attached to the ends of the pivot l6 and and their forward ends attached to upstanding levels 2| on the rock shaft 22. 23 indicates a lever connected to the rock .shaft with its forward end 23' hearing against a member 24 under the lower part of the flange 25 of the motor casing Ill. The springs 20 pulling on the levers 2| rock the shaft 22 to lift the end of the lever 23 to support the member 24 and thus give support .to the nozzle l2. The springs 20 are so selected so they will substantially balance the weight of the nozzle. That is, the nozzle will substantially float 1 or be free to be moved upwardly or downwardly,

although 1 preferably make the springs weak enough so that the nozzle normally will rock forwardly or downwardly to the limit ofits movement. It is to be noted particularly that the levers 2| are inclined somewhat forwardly of the vertical so that as the nozzle moves downwardly and the spring tension is increased, the torque leverage of the levers 2| on the shaft 22 will be reduced owing to the increased parallelism between the levers 2| and the springs 20. The parts are so proportioned that this decreased leverage will substantially oiIset the increased pull of the springs so that'they will exert a substantially "straight line" pull on the nozzle. Thatis, the springs will substantially uniformly balance the forces of gravity acting on the nozzle substantially throughout its entire range of movement.

The nozzle support includes the two rollers 26, 26. These rollers are wide enough so that they will ride more or less on the surface of thick carpet and. consequently, elevate the nozzle. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the surface being cleaned is indicated as a rather thick carpet. The topmost surface of this carpet is indicated by 21. As here shown, the rollers 26 have sunk down into the carpet to some extent, that is, to the level of the line indicated by 21", but they have not sunk down as low as the wheels l5 which are at the level of the line 21 which may be very near the bottom surface of the thick carpet. The cleaner is shown in Fig. l as operating upon-a hard floor 28 and here the rollers 26 naturally rest at the same level as the wheels l5 and it will be seen that the nozzle consequently is also lowered.

The support of the nozzle on the rollers 26 is effected in the following manner. Links 29 are provided with their rear ends pivoted at 30 to the carriage II. The front ends of the links 29 extend forwardly somewhat of the wheels 26 and support the nozzle l2 by the pivots 3|. It will be seen that by this construction, the upward and downward movement of the rollers 26 with respect to the wheels II will be amplified when transmitted to the nozzle. This action is clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 where it will b seen that if the rollers are raised to the line 21', the nozzle will be raised somewhat higher-to the line 21. The parts are so proportioned that the nozzle will be held substantially at the desired height for varying thickness of carpet.

The device Of Figs. 5,-6, 7, 8 and 9 In the device here shown, III indicates the motor casing, III the fan casing, and H2 the nozzle;"these parts again being formed into a single unit. I

The carriage is indicated by Ill and resembles, in general, the carriage of the other device. This carriage is likewise supported on the two forward wheels I I! and the two rear wheels H8. The carriage Ill is also provided with the up'- standing arms Ill to which the ends of the bail I50 are attached. The ball carries a handle iii.

In order to counterbalance the nozzle H2 in this form, the unit, consisting of the nozzle, fan casing and motor casing, is pivoted at III. This pivotal attachment at the points III is substantially in the horizontal plane of the center of percussion. This construction prevents or lessens rocking of the unit that otherwise might be caused by backward or forward acceleration of the cleaner negative or positive. The pivot points IIB are also so located that the weight of the motor and motor casin IID back of the pivots substantially counterbalance the weight of the nozzle H2 and other parts of the unitlocated forward of the pivots. Preferably th pivots are slightly back of the center of gravity sothe nozzle will normally rock forwardly or downwardly. It is to be understood, however, that the pivots I III are so located that the weight of the unit back 'of the pivot substantially balances the forces of gravity acting on the nozzle throughout its range of movement.

In this form of device, to support the nozzle I provide the long roller I28 located slightly back of the nozzle and carriage in the bearing members I26 attached to the nozzle at I26 The roller I26 is made very wide so that there will be provided a long line contact at least and probably a surface contact of considerable area on the top of a thick soft carpet so that the nozzle will be held considerably above the level of the wheels II5. In Figs. and 6 I have indicated the cleaner operating upon rather-thick carpet I21 and it will be seen that the roller I28 is supported substantially on the up er surface I21 of this carpet, whereas the wheels III sink down considerably into the carpet tothe level of the line I21". When operating on such a carpet, therefore, the nozzle II2 will be held by the rollers I26 close to the upper surface of the carpet to give the desired cleaning action.

Since the angularity of the non H2 is changed slightly because of the location of the pivots IIIi back of the nozzle, as here shown I provide the nozzle with an adjustable or floating rear lip H2. This lip is connected to the main part of the nozzle by flexible cloth ,IGII. Springpressed plungers IBI are employed to hold the lip H2 downwardly with slight pressure. The rear lip is provided with side lips 2''. By this construction, the lower lip surfaces will be substantially in a horizontal height of the nozzle.

In the construction here shown, I also provide mean for su porting the bag m of the cleaner directly from the carriage so that its varying weight due to accumulations of dirt therein will not affect the counterbalancing of the nozzle. To

this end, I provide the carriage with an upwardly extending post IBI carrying the ring I82 to which the lower end of the bag is attached. It: indicates a flexible connection between the bag and the pipe I leading to the fan chamber.

The general principle embodied in both constructions may be considered as a lifting or upwardly urging of the nozzle by the weight or downward movement of the. carriage. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, when the carriage It moves downwardly, it bears down on the rear end of the lever 29 which fulcrums on the axis of the roller 26. This lifts up the point 3|, thus urging the nozzle upwardly.

I wish to state further in connection with the floating lip 2* that the purpose of this lip is not only to hold the lip surfaces in a horizontal plane, but also to prevent the rear lip from exterting too much friction on the carpet. It will be noted that since this rear lip is such a short distance from the pivotal axis of the roller I26 that if the force of suction is balanced at the center of the nozzle. opening by upward force on this rear lip, this force may be excessive. As the nozzle moves upwardly, this rear lip may bury into the carpet as it is rising slower than the front lip. Hence, it is prefer-able to make it so that it will yield, thereby minimizing the frictional contact with the carpet. Furthermore, if this rear lip were not made to yield, it might render somewht ineffective the operation of the long roller I26 which is so close to it by striking the rug before the roller had sunk enough to have suflicient buoyancy to lift the nozzle without undue friction.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed plane, regardless of the in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I claim as new.- and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A household type suction cleaner for cleaning rugs and carpets and the like comprising a carriage including at least two wheels located at the rear thereof, an electric motor carried on said carriage, a nozzle mounted on the front of the carriage having a transverse open mouth, said nozzle being of a shape and size to position a rotary brush operatively connected to said motor and mounted within said mouth parallel with the floor and transverse to the carriage, said nozzle being vertically movable with respect to said carriage, and means for supporting the nozzle with said brush in position for contact with the material being cleaned through said open mouth of the nozzle, said supporting means including a member having a relatively large supporting surface relative to the weight supported thereby in order to ride substantially but not wholly on the surface of the material being cleaned regardless'of the character of said material, said supporting member being located between said carriage wheels and the nozzle and amplifying vertical movement of the nozzle with respect to vertical movement of said supporting member relative to said wheels, and said carriage 3. A household type suction cleaner for cleaning rugs and carpets and the like, including: a carriage; a unit motor casing, fan casing, and nozzle pivotally mounted on the carriage whereb the nozzle is vertically movable with respect to the carriage; means substantially counterbalancing the weight of the nomle; and means for supporting the nozzle, said means including a member having arelatively wide supporting surface adapted to ride substantially on the surface of the materia. being cleaned regardless of its character.

4. A household type suction cleaner for cleaning rugs and carpets and the like, including: a carriage; a nozzle mounted on the carriage and vertically movable with respect to the carriage; and means for supporting the nozzle, said means including a member having a relatively wide supporting surface adapted to ride substantially on the surface of the material being cleaned regardles of its character, the mounting of the nozzle on the carriage being of such a character that the supportingmeans for the nozzle will automatically adjust its vertical height with respect to the carriage in accordance with the character of the material being cleaned said nozzle being provided with a floating rear lip, there being a flexible connection between said lip and the nozzle proper.

5. A household typesuction cleaner for cleaning rugs and carpets and the like, including: a carriage; a nozzle mounted on the carriage and vertically movable with respect to the carriage; means for supporting-the nozzle, said means including a member having a relatively wide supporting surface adapted to ride substantially on ahe surface of the material being cleaned regardless of its character, the mounting of the nozzle on the carriage being of such a character.

that the supporting means for the nozzle will automatically adjust its vertical height with respect to the carriage in accordance with the character of the material being cleaned; and a' bag supported directly by the carriage with a flexible connection between said bag and the nozzle.

6. A cleaner as claimed in claim 3, in which the means for counterbalancing the nozzle includes a sprin with a compensating connection including a lever means between the spring and the nozzle whereby the counterbalanclng eilect of the spring on the nozzle will be substantially uniform throughout the entire range of movement of the nozzle.

'1. A household type suction cleaner for cleaning rugs and carpets and the like, including: a carriage; and a unit motor casing, fan casing, and nozzle, pivotally mounted on the carriage whereby the nozzle is vertically movable with respect to the carriage and substantially counterbalanced, the pivotal axis of said pivotal mountin lying substantially in the horizontal plane of the center of percussion of said unit.

8. A household type suction cleaner for cleaning rugs and carpets and the like, including: a carriage: a nozzle mounted on the carriage and vertically movablewith respect to the carriage;

supporting surface adapted to ride substantially on the surface of the material being cleaned regardless of its character, and a link with its forward end connected tothe nozzle, its rear end connected to the carriage and said riding member attached to said link between its ends.

9. A household type suction cleaner for cleaning rugs and carpets and the like, including: a carriage; a nozzle mounted on the carriage and vertically movable with respect to the carriage; means substantially counterbalancing the weight of the nozzle; and means for supporting the nozzle, said means including a member having a relatively wide supportin surface adapted to ride substantially on the surface of the material being cleaned regardless of its character.

10. A suction cleaner as claimed in claim 3 in which the means for counterbalancing the nozzle includes a spring.

11. A suction cleaner as claimed in claim 3 in which the nozzleis substantially counterbalanced by substantially balancing the unit motor casing, fan casing, and nozzle on its pivotal mounting.

12. A household type suction cleaner for cleaning rugs and carpets and the like, including: a carriage; a unit fan casing and nozzle pivotally mounted on the carriage whereby the nozzle is vertically movable with respect to the carriage; means substantially counterbalancing the weight of the nozzle; and means for supporting the nozzle, said means includin a member having a relatively wide supporting surface adapted to ride substantially on the surface of the material being cleaned regardless of its character.

13. A suction cleaner as claimed in claim 12 in which the means for counterbalancing the nozzle includes a motor casing.

14. A suction cleaner as claimed in claim 12 in which means for counterbalancing the nozzle includes a spring.

15. A household type suction cleaner for cleaning rugs and carpets and the like, including: a carriage; a unit motor casing, fan casing,'and nozzle pivotally mounted on the carriage whereby the nozzle is vertically movable with respect to the carriage, said nozzle being provided with a floating rear lip and there being a flexible connection between said lip and the nozzle proper; means substantially counterbalancing the weight of the nozzle; and means for supporting the nozzle, said means including a member having a relatively wide supporting surface adapted to ride substantially on the surface of the material being cleaned regardlessof its character.

16. A household type suction cleaner for cleaning rugs and carpets and the like, including: a carriage; a unit motor casing, fan casing, and nozzle pivotally mounted on the carriage whereby the nozzle is vertically movable with respect to the carriage, means substantially counterbalancing the weight of the nozzle; means for supporting the nozzle, said means including a member having a relatively wide supporting surface adapted to ride substantially on the surface of the material being cleaned regardless of its character, and a bag supported directly by the carriage with a flexible connection between saidbag and the nozzle.

CHARLES H. SPARKLIN.

(References on following page) 9 mmmnncas The following rei'erenoa are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Re. 15,423 892,200 1,092,823 1,145,129 1,199,443 1,365,789 1,409,910 ,527.37?

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Orr July 25, 1922 Huber June 30, 1908 Chapman Apr. 14, 1914 Emerson July 6, 1915 Van Der Putten Sept. 26, 1916 Kirby May 14, 1918 Anderson Mar. 21, 1922 On' lab. 24, 1925 Number Number Name Date Bain 22. 1927 10503;; Oct. 25, 1932 White Sept. 5, 1933 Pardee May 22, 1934 Kirby Oct. 16, 1934 Wiehle Mar, 19, 1935 Taylor Jan. 14, 1936 Frantz Jan. 14, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain 3, 1933 

